To create a place where everyone can thrive authentically. A workplace model that leverages individuality and strengths, born from collaboration between ERGs originating in the field and management.

dentsu Japan places great importance on DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) and is advancing various initiatives to realize "everyone thriving." One such initiative is the Employee Resource Group (ERG), which was created bottom-up from the voices and thoughts of each individual employee.

Starting in 2025, management actively sponsors ERG activities, further strengthening the momentum of these employee-driven initiatives. Aiming to create an environment where everyone, regardless of diverse backgrounds, life stages, or individual circumstances, can thrive authentically, ERGs have become a crucial element supporting dentsu Japan's "Everyone Thriving" vision.

This article introduces the activities and significance of several ERGs operating within dentsu Japan, featuring insights from representatives, operational members, and management.

The thoughts and voluntary actions of each individual employee sparked the creation of ERGs.

At dentsu Japan, we believe that the diverse personalities of each employee combine to create new possibilities and value. We particularly cherish the bottom-up power of employees themselves taking proactive action to address DEI challenges as a unique aspect of the dentsu Japan culture.

ERGs themselves were born from this culture that encourages voluntary action by those directly affected by DEI challenges and their supporters. Currently, 10 ERGs are active, addressing various themes and issues such as life stages, gender, and physical/mental health.

Voices of those directly affected build connections and strength. The circles of empathy and support created by ERGs

Through activities like facilitating roundtable discussions and sharing information, ERGs create environments where individuals can openly share the challenges they face. These activities not only enhance psychological safety but also become spaces where participants gain new insights and positive energy. This time, we introduce the activities of Lavender Cafe and Carers Hug.

■ Lavender Cafe (Cancer Survivor ERG)

A self-help group where cancer survivors can consult each other about concerns and exchange information, aiming to enable people to work with peace of mind even after a cancer diagnosis. Activities include dialogue events and developing training programs on how managers should respond when a subordinate is diagnosed with cancer.

---

Representative: Ai Takada (Dentsu Inc. / Cancer Survivor)
Sponsors: Yuko Kitakaze (Dentsu Group Global Chief Sustainability Officer / Cancer Survivor) and Hiromi Suzuki (Dentsu Inc. Corporate Executive Officer)

Takada: We run the Lavender Cafe as "a place where cancer survivors can freely chat like in a cafe." To make it an accessible space where people can talk about anything and come and go freely, we hold the cafe outside of working hours.

During these casual chats, survivors often exchange information about daily inconveniences they never experienced before their diagnosis. Topics include things like, "Compression tights to prevent lymphedema are expensive—is there any assistance available?" or "My scar is dry—does anyone know a good body cream?"

By sharing these unmet needs※2 that only become apparent after becoming a patient, we create an environment where people feel reassured that "I'm not alone in this struggle," fostering a more positive outlook.

*1 Lymphedema: A condition where lymph fluid, which should be collected by lymph vessels, accumulates under the skin instead of being drained, causing swelling. In cancer patients, it often occurs after surgery to remove nearby lymph nodes or when radiation therapy compresses lymph vessels.

※2 Unmet needs: Needs that have not yet been fulfilled. In the medical and pharmaceutical industries, this is also referred to as unmet medical needs, referring to patient needs that current medical care cannot adequately address.

Kitakaze: Currently, we hold cafes for patients five times a year and gatherings for cancer survivor supporters once a year.

What we value most at this cafe is "deliberately not making it a place to produce something." Therefore, we never pursue outcomes like developing initiatives from cafe activities or collaborating externally to promote our work. By maintaining an environment where participants can speak their minds freely and feel warmly understood, we ensure their psychological safety.

We hear that having the Lavender Cafe, where they can safely share their feelings, provides motivation to "stay well until the next session." Some participants even tell us, "This makes me feel like I can keep striving at this company."

It's heartening that the Lavender Cafe not only energizes participants daily but also boosts their engagement with the organization.

■Carers Hug: dJ Caregivers Supporting Each Other (ERG for business caregivers balancing work with caregiving/nursing)

Commonly known as "Care Hug," this group acts as a forum for discussing the balance between caregiving/nursing and work. They plan to broaden their activities further by starting exchanges with HR and DEI members from other companies.

---

Representative: Fujiko Yamanaka (Dentsu Inc. / Business Carer)
Operating Member: Yuki Nakatsuka (Dentsu Inc. / Business Carer)
Sponsor: Mr. Yoshihisa Suzuki (President, Integrated Solutions, Dentsu Japan / Business Caregiver)

Yamanaka: Carers Hug's activities primarily consist of two parts.

First is running the "Lunchtime Salon." We share information about caregiving and nursing through seminars led by operational members and external speakers.

Second is creating the "Caregiving and Nursing Experience Collection." We gather personal stories of balancing caregiving/nursing with work from business carers inside and outside the company, editing them into narrative formats. These stories are introduced in a read-aloud format, sharing insights and preparation tips for the future with those not yet in the role.

Additionally, we hold regular meetings every two weeks among the operating members to exchange ideas about future activities.

Nakatsuji: Care Hug started as an ERG focused on caregiving, but from my own experience as a business caregiver, I strongly felt nursing should also be included.

This theme isn't easily resolved. That's precisely why I believe continuing to talk with others in the same situation, feeling "I'm not alone," provides significant support.

The very existence of this community serves as a mental safety net. We want it to be a place that creates opportunities for small steps forward, like thinking "Today feels a little easier than yesterday" or "I'll try my best again tomorrow."

An ERG evolving alongside management. Real empathy and support that moves the organization.

ERGs, born from employees' voluntary initiatives, have gained stronger backing since 2025 with dentsu Japan's management team joining as sponsors.

Among the executives participating as sponsors are those who have experienced the same challenges themselves, as well as those who, while not directly affected, join out of empathy for the cause. By allowing executives to directly engage with the voices from the field, this deepens the understanding of DEI across dentsu Japan and contributes to the evolution of systems and the internal culture.

■Lavender Cafe

Takada: Besides Ms. Kitakaze, Hiromi Suzuki (Corporate Executive Officer, Dentsu Inc.) also participates as a sponsor in the Lavender Cafe. While Ms. Suzuki is not a cancer survivor, she stays with us from start to finish every time and provides positive feedback. This clearly shows she is genuinely engaging with our challenges and feelings, which is incredibly reassuring.

Kitakaze: Hearing directly from those affected reveals many things we wouldn't otherwise notice. For example, when concerned about a subordinate with cancer, managers often say things like, "You must be feeling unwell; shouldn't you take it easy and rest?"

But in reality, some people want to keep working hard even after being diagnosed. You won't know these true feelings unless you hear them directly from the individuals themselves. Through ERG activities, I hope to become a bridge between those directly affected and management.

■Carers Hug

Yamanaka: Since Carers Hug became an ERG with a sponsor, I feel we can now directly convey the challenges faced by business carers to management. Mr. Suzuki Yoshihisa joined with a deep understanding of our concerns, and his presence provides significant reassurance for our activities.

Suzuki: Having personally supported my family as a business carer during my time as President of Dentsu Digital Inc., I joined this initiative of my own volition.

Estimates suggest that labor losses stemming from inadequate work arrangements for business caregivers could reach 9.1 trillion yen by 2030※3. Given these societal challenges, I strongly feel this initiative should not be limited to employee-led activities alone. Regardless of whether they are personally affected, I firmly believe management must confront caregiving-related issues and actively drive systemic reform and foster a supportive corporate culture.

※3 Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry " Guidelines for Employers on Supporting the Balance of Work and Caregiving "

For Future "Colleagues Facing Challenges": Discussing the Future of ERG Activities

ERG activities are evolving beyond being solely employee-driven to become initiatives linked to dentsu Japan's management agenda. Finally, we asked the speakers about their future outlook.

■ Lavender Cafe

Takada: Lavender Cafe values remaining a safe space where cancer survivors can gather with peace of mind. We want to continue our activities unchanged going forward. To that end, I will strive to deepen my own knowledge and provide an even better space for participants.

Kitakaze: Like Takada-san, I want to keep protecting Lavender Cafe so that even if major changes occur in the organizational structure or social climate in the future, we can continue our activities unchanged.

■Carers Hug

Yamanaka: Carers Hug's activities are just beginning. We have many ideas we want to pursue going forward. We want to continue making this a place where business caregivers can positively discuss challenges, learn from each other, and recognize one another.

Nakatsuka: The caregiving and nursing challenges we face now could potentially affect anyone in the future. Guided by the belief that our work might benefit someone next, we intend to keep updating our activities.

Suzuki: Our future vision is to use ERG activities to embed a company culture of "mutual support" throughout dentsu Japan and transform our systems. We will champion this aspiration as a management priority and continue supporting ERG activities as sponsors.

Other ERGs

■DEI Women's Working Group (Gender)

This group aims to improve the working environment for female employees at dentsu Japan through surveys, information dissemination, and proposals to management.

---

[Sponsor Comment]
dJ has many ERGs.

Our employees are actively stepping forward to turn diversity into strength.

The very existence of a major theme like "Women's Working Group" within our ERGs reflects our understanding that the company's overall efforts in this area remain insufficient.

Working closely with all members, we aim to contribute through communication about our activities and institutionalization.

■dJ Pride Hub (LGBTQ+)

An organization empowering LGBTQ+ individuals, where both members and allies work to improve employee literacy and create a more welcoming workplace. Participants span nationwide, engaging in online information exchanges, themed roundtables, and study sessions.

---

[Sponsor Comment]

It's said that one in ten people identifies as LGBTQ+, and many such individuals work at dJ. In the countries I've lived in—the US, India, Thailand, and China—the social environment surrounding LGBTQ+ issues varied greatly. However, I believe the most important first steps are deepening dialogue and understanding, and showing empathy for the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals.

■UniCafe (Disability)

UniCafe brings together individuals with diverse disabilities and career backgrounds. We engage in remote exchanges and make proposals to the company. The "Uni" in UniCafe means "one." We aim to connect each unique individual to spark new movements both within and outside the company.

---

[Sponsor Comment]
Having a slightly different visual experience myself, I thought I might understand the members' feelings even a little, which is why I volunteered to be UniCafe's Executive Sponsor. At our first introductory meeting, I was impressed by everyone's positive attitude and simultaneously realized how superficial my own understanding of disability had been. I am grateful to the members who warmly welcomed someone like me, and I hope to contribute through dialogue with everyone to make UniCafe an even better place of respite.

■Meet Dentsu-jin in English (Multicultural Understanding)

We host gatherings where non-native Japanese speakers working at Dentsu Japan can casually exchange information and chat in English. Many Japanese employees seeking English conversation opportunities also participate, making it a community where we help each other with challenges both within and outside our groups.

---

【Sponsor Comment】
Speaking from my own experience, living and working in an environment where your native language isn't the primary one is far more challenging than one might imagine. In such times, what becomes a true source of comfort are colleagues who can be consulted about anything, transcending language barriers. I hope to support those dedicated to building such communities and those striving in environments where their native language isn't the primary one.

■Mental Health Lab (Mental Illness)

This lab aims to create an environment where individuals can work authentically, leveraging their unique strengths, even when facing mental health challenges or work-related limitations stemming from such conditions.

---

[Sponsor Comment]
Having experienced mental health challenges myself, I joined the lab because I resonated with its mission. What I've come to realize through participation is that having a place where you can be your authentic self—including your vulnerable moments—is also a strength for the company. We run various activities, such as the Mental Health Café, where people can talk freely.

■d4g Volunteer Department (Volunteer)

Provides a meeting place for employees interested in "Social Good activities" like volunteering and those already engaged in such activities. Beyond internal information sharing, we host events both in-person and online.

---

【Sponsor Comment】
Having participated in various volunteer activities since elementary school and having been involved even before becoming a sponsor, running for this role felt like a very natural progression. It's a highly open and flat community where like-minded individuals with altruistic leadership gather.

■Twinkle Cafe (Baby Loss)

This is a community where employees who have experienced baby loss (miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, etc.) can share their feelings. We aim to prevent isolation in the workplace and ensure each individual can work with peace of mind.

For more information on dentsu Japan's DEI initiatives, please visit:
https://www.japan.dentsu.com/jp/deandi/

【Contact】
dj-dei-office@dentsu.co.jp